A comprehensive 258-page review of this fast-growing sector with extensive company, product and research evaluations in all major MI areas

The market for molecular imaging technology is facing a number of challenges. The chronic shortage of key radiopharmaceuticals and negative US reimbursement developments have affected the SPECT sector while an uncertain economic future has impacted buyers’ willingness to invest in capital equipment. Advanced MI solutions offer real clinical and research benefits, but in current market conditions, exactly when the technologies will realise their potential is open to question.

Where does that leave the companies and organisations that are investing US$billions to develop products?

Current research into MI involves different fields, including target discovery, chemistry, cell biology, disease modelling, imaging, data processing and clinical research. While some key molecular targets in certain diseases are well established, newer targets, chemical ligands and sensing technologies wait to be developed. Currently, most R&D into MI is focused on clinical applications in cancer, neurological and cardiovascular diseases.

In addition, companies are focusing on translational research, i.e. developing and marketing small animal, pre-clinical MI systems with the aim of translating this technology to human use in the future. For example, in cancer research, animal models of cancer are making it possible to perform studies that are difficult or impossible to perform in humans. In addition, imaging small animals can help assess the effectiveness of new instruments and therapeutic technologies such as radiation therapy and directed drug therapies.

Despite some short-term factors that are likely to impact growth in the MI market, there are strong opportunities in this area. The increasing incidence of cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases means that demand for faster and more accurate diagnosis, as well as drug development and pre-clinical study efforts, will continue to accelerate in the coming years. In addition, MI technologies will become more widely adopted as reimbursement increases, clinical evidence is established as to its benefits, and new technological innovations continue to be brought to market.

Espicom believes the market is currently worth around US$5 billion, with 50% of this being generated in North America...

Currently, nuclear imaging is the most widely-used and developed MI modality for both clinical and pre-clinical use. Nuclear medicine is wellestablished and the infrastructure is in place throughout the developed world for its use, with over 13 million procedures undertaken annually. However, the use of this technology is not as widespread as imaging techniques such as MRI or CT. While the latter two technologies can be accessed from the vast majority of hospitals in the developed world, access to nuclear imaging is limited to specialist centres in hospitals and universities. There is also a major lack of nuclear imaging infrastructure in the developing world and emerging markets.

Since 2006, the nuclear imaging market, along with the diagnostic imaging market in general, has been in decline in terms of sales volumes. This has mainly been due to a weak market environment in the US, the largest market for imaging systems, as a result of the US government’s attempts to curb spending on diagnostic imaging. These problems have been compounded by the global economic crisis. The situation has been more positive in the international market, where slight growth has been seen. While the number of nuclear imaging systems sold has declined year-on-year, demand for procedures is rising, leading to growth potential in the market for both radiopharmaceuticals and consumables.

Growth returns, albeit slowly

All of the major imaging systems companies reported more positive results for the fourth quarter of 2009, with orders either increasing or falling at a much slower rate than seen earlier in the year. While there continues to be weakness in the US, declines in this market are lessening. However, the main growth is coming from other regions of the world, fuelled by increasing demand in emerging markets such as India and China.

SPECT faces real challenges

With the global economic outlook becoming more promising, capital spending on healthcare is expected to improve during 2010. Despite this, the outlook for the nuclear imaging industry is highly uncertain with continued questions about future funding and reform, as well as the unresolved matters surrounding the supply of SPECT radiopharmaceuticals used in many procedures. In addition, the SPECT market will be affected by recent CMS changes that will cut reimbursement for cardiac myocardial SPECT imaging procedures by 36%.

A boost for PET

The outlook for the use of PET products is far more positive. Not only has there been an increase in the number of PET procedures being undertaken due to the lack of SPECT radiopharmaceutical availability, demand for PET is also rising as a result of the CMS’ decision in 2009 to expand reimbursement coverage for the use of fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG)-PET in several new cancers, and to increase reimbursement rates for cardiac myocardial perfusion PET imaging by 20%. The report covers companies active in the major MI sectors

Nuclear Imaging

Near infrared or optical imaging

Ultrasound

MRI

Combination technologies

This report answers key business questions...

What solutions are being considered to resolve the shortage of the critical Molybdenum-99 Isotope?

In which therapy sectors are MI technologies playing a key diagnostic role?

What collaborative role are academic institutions playing in MI development?

Which companies are most advanced in developing combined PET/MRI imaging systems?

With whom is Aposense collaborating to commercialise its platform technology for targeting apoptosis in vivo?

With which company did Philips sign a MoU in September 2009 for the development of Magnetic Particle Imaging scanners for the pre-clinical market?

How have Covidien’s sales of radiopharmaceutical and contrast products been affected by recent market and economic events?

How has IBA’s aggressive acquisition and partnering policy positioned it for international expansion?

This new report examines the trends and developments affecting the market and looks in detail at the work and collaborations of 70 of the companies involved.

Comprehensive contents packed with company facts and insight

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BACKGROUND

MI ModalitiesApplications of MINeurological DiseaseOncologyCardiovascular DiseaseMI for Drug Development